Faith Despite Hostility
Psalm 3:1-8
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom
his son.
YHWH, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me.
Many there are that say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.
But thou, O YHWH, art a shield about me; my glory and the lifter up of my head.
I cry unto YHWH with my voice; and he answereth me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for YHWH sustaineth me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people that have set themselves
against me round about.
Arise, O YHWH; save me, O my God:
For thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the
teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongeth unto YHWH: Thy blessing be upon thy people. Selah (Psalm
3:1-8).
David’s world seemed over.
All Israel and Judah had gone over to his son Absalom who had betrayed him and
declared himself king. David’s most trusted counselor Ahithophel defected to
Absalom. David had just experienced humiliation at the hands of Benjaminites;
even Jonathan’s son to whom David had acted in such kindness had turned against
him. Nothing would ever be the same; if he lived it meant his son had died. If
his son’s rebellion succeeded it would mean his own end. Such was David’s
condition during the rebellion of Absalom as recorded in 2 Samuel 15:1-16:23,
providing the context for Psalm 3:1-8 according to its superscription.
One might think that such a situation would lead David to despair. David is
aware of his difficulties and knows that many believe that he has no hope;
nevertheless Psalm 3 maintains a defiant tone of confidence and faith in YHWH
despite his circumstances. David knows his enemies have multiplied (Psalm
3:1-2), yet he considers YHWH as his shield and source of strength, the One who
answers him when he calls (Psalm 3:3-4). David can lie down in sleep and arise
again since YHWH sustains him; he is not afraid of all who arise against him
(Psalm 3:5-6). David asks YHWH to rescue him from his plight and to render his
foes harmless (Psalm 3:7). Salvation belongs to YHWH; David asks YHWH to spread
His blessings over His people (Psalm 3:8).
David’s confidence is well-placed. His forces gain the victory; the rebellion is
crushed. Psalm 3 remains. It would give voice and confidence to generations of
Israelites who felt surrounded by enemies but who relied upon YHWH for their
strength and sustenance.
About a thousand years after David one of his descendants found Himself in a
similar situation. He had entered Jerusalem in triumph; within a week He was
betrayed by one of His closest associates, condemned to die by the people who
once lauded and praised Him, and found Himself surrounded by foes. In that
situation Jesus of Nazareth maintained His trust and confidence in God; even
though He suffered the taunts of His enemies who were convinced God had
abandoned Him, He accomplished God’s purposes for Him in His suffering and death
(Matthew 26:1-27:56, Hebrews 5:8-9). Having done God’s will, Jesus laid down and
slept in death (Matthew 27:45-66).
Yet, on the third day, Jesus awoke in the resurrection, for YHWH sustained Him
(Matthew 28:1-10). Through His death and resurrection Jesus gained God’s victory
over the forces of sin and death (Romans 8:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-18). Now through
Jesus salvation is freely offered to everyone and the rich spiritual blessings
of God available to any and all who call upon His name (Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians
1:3).
Even to this day the people of God frequently find themselves beset by foes.
Their enemies are convinced that the people of God have no help coming to them
and are finished. Many times God’s people begin to worry that their opponents
may have a point. At such times we do well to remember Psalm 3:1-8 and to sing
and/or pray it before the LORD our God. In so doing we can remember that David
was beset by foes but God gave him the victory, that Jesus gained victory by
suffering the evil done to Him by His foes, and take heart and strength and know
that through Jesus we will gain the victory as well. God sustains us; we may
sleep in death at the end of this life but we know that God will raise us in
Christ (Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-58). If God is for us, who can be
against us (Romans 8:31-39)? If we maintain trust in God, what can our foes do
to us? Salvation belongs to our God, and He gives it freely to us in Christ. Let
us establish God in Christ as our hope and trust and through Him gain confidence
no matter what befalls us!
By
Ethan Longhenry
From Expository Files 21.8; August 2014
